Shakespeare is in Need!

Last month the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (a wonderful group of people!) awarded the Independent Shakespeare Company (another wonderful group of people!) $5000 toward their operating expenses with the expectation that the ISC would conduct outreach on behalf of the AVNC, host a neighborhood council night at one of the performances, conduct free workshops for families during the summer, offer educational materials about the plays, and offer Spanish workshops and educational materials, all as an outreach opportunity for the neighborhood council.

Along comes a neighborhood councilmember who wants to "reconsider" last month's award, proposing that the Board rescind the $5000 award, so that the money can be awarded to another organization.

Please sign this petition and urge the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (a wonderful group of really fair people!) to avoid the "false dichotomy" trap and to stay true to their decision of last month, to continue to support the Independent Shakespeare Company and to partner with them on outreach and education in the community, fulfilling their city charter mandate to engage the community. What can be more engaging than talented members of the immediate community performing Shakespeare in schools, in the local theatre, and in the urban wilderness of Griffith Park. Oh, yeah. Their performances are free!

Specifically, by signing this petition you are supporting the great partnership between the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council and the Independent Shakespeare Company and are asking the AVNC Board to reject the motion to rescind (Agenda item 7-e) and to stay true to their decision of last month to award the Independent Shakespeare Company $5000.

Thank you for supporting the arts, education, community partnerships, and the wonderful members of the Atwater Village community.